Sousa-Horowitz The Stars and Stripes Forever

[@spikehofmann]

Valery made his transcription by listening to Horowitz's performances and copying them down note by note. He then performed it at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano, Italy (I believe). Thomas Frost the recording engineer who had worked on many Horowitz recordings heard Valery in Bolzano and enthusiastically told Horowitz about the young Russian. Horowitz was mightily impressed and he wrote Valery a charming letter. Horowitz invited Valery to visit him at his home in New York, which Valery did in early 1989, I believe it was. Horowitz was full of praise for Valery's extraordinary technique and musicianship and invited him to return to New York for lessons. Sadly, Horowitz died in late 1989 and the lessons never took place. queuing

[@LouisEmery]

I had to look up the pianist's name in the comments below: Valery Kuleshov. His name should be in the description.

[@bobbycressey]

100%

[@busoni1]

Silver Medalist at the Van Cliburn. I believe it was 1991? He won the prize for his in interpretation of Morton Gould’s ‘Ghost Waltzes’, the commissioned piece for the competition.

[@twaoum6561]

@@busoni1 it was 1993 with Pedroni Winning Gold. The following winner didn’t even make the semifinals 😮😬.

[@busoni1]

@@twaoum6561 yeah I felt Pedroni was … okay. I thought the silver (Kuleshov) and Bronze (Taylor) were both strong.

[@twaoum6561]

@@busoni1 I agree.

[@JS-jr2ux]

i love the orchestra's reactions haha

[@stacia6678]

4:01

[@jasjas-rm9kc]

Unless things have changed, every one of those orchestra members had to take Piano in music school. They know full well when they're seeing a fantastic performance.

[@pianogeekdan4621]

The guy at 4:01 finally realized why his mom kept forcing him to play piano

[@AstridHerard]

Lol I thought the same

[@bctesla]

Yea this is like Eruption times 10 thousand .

[@Medtszkowski]

LMFAO

[@danielthompson5785]

The first time I watched this, I couldn't tell it was real. Then the next step was being jealous. Now I'm at the step of pure awe and appreciation. I'm a good musician, but it would take me another couple lifetimes to play this.

[@morganmartinez8420]

Italian pianist Francesco Libetta learnt this piece in 2 days.

[@alexhaowenwong6122]

I've learned it, it's not too hard. If you can Sousa it slowly, you can Sousa it quickly!

[@davidhooper9466]

For a better version look up the version by the transcriptionist, Vladimir Horowitz. His voicing and deftness of touch can't be beat.

[@chickenflavor9880]

@@davidhooper9466 he invented it.

[@carlwcampbell]

To all that have been asking who the pianist is, his name is Valery Kuleshov (russian). According to his biography, he transcribed this piece (in the late 90s) from listening to a Horowitz's LP (at the time, it was unpublished). This concert is from around the year 2000.

[@ewallt]

That's impressive! (that he transcribed this from a recording)

[@dennisdeemii]

his pedal and phrasing are clearer than Horowitz's lol awesome arrangement and pianist.

[@CJ-xw4tl]

It still is unpublished. Horowitz wrote this but stopped performing it because people only liked this and disregarded his other pieces that he played during that performance. "I'm never going to play this peace again, and neither will anyone else" Many people have done a similar thing but they won't be 100 percent right

[@mkeysou812]

2000?? Judging from the attire and look of the thing, I thought it was the 70s!

[@stevendaniel8126]

That took guts.......

[@johnparkway]

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is why the piano has 88 keys! :). Bravo!

[@sylvanmingelen]

This comment is under rated

[@fxtrader6647]

the best commentary possible !

[@ФилиппОстапенко-м4й]

У рояля

[@slserenader]

Ive watched this video so many times. One of the best performances of all time.

[@tomewall8982]

This is my favorite rendition of this arrangement for two reasons. One is it is extremely clean; you can hear every note. The other is the tempo. This is a march, and if it is played too quickly (which Stars and Stripes often is), it loses the feeling of a march. A march, by definition, is something you should be able to march to.

[@SonshineLady7]

Great points!

[@QueenGlory13]

Also towards the end I was really impressed how he played the melody and the background part at the same time, which I tend to find that most arrangements (of any song) don't do.

[@GDWhiting]

did horowitz tell you that 🤔

[@musical_lolu4811]

Horowitz's sentiments exactly.

[@mjcohnmd]

I agree. Not only is the tempo “right” but the tempo variations feel just right, especially the grand ritard heading into the last verse. Also, like you said, this rendition of Horowitz’s arrangement is extremely clean. You can clearly hear what are essentially four parts played simultaneously - the bass pedals, the marching chords, the main melody, and especially through the piccolo sections, the intricate piccolo parts with clear articulation of the multiple dramatic trills. Bravo...!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@constantinefilardi7522]

I'm so happy that someone identified the pianist as Valery Kuleshov. Yes, an extraordinary talent indeed!!!

[@scabbycatcat4202]

The first time I ever heard this was on the radio and I became convinced it must be a duet. How could just one pair of hands hit all those notes ? I was astonished to find out it is played by just one pianist. It must be one of the most challenging pieces in the whole classical repertoire

[@jennytawler7492]

I just LOVE how the members of the orchestra, who presumably have a more informed view than us mere mortals, are lost in jaw-dropping appreciation of this pianist’s talent!

[@jasjas-rm9kc]

They know, for sure.

[@johnsmith1882-x2i]

2:30 two hands, three voices

[@yahyamhirsi]

That's basically what Piano music is all about!

[@felixfourcolor]

not all piano music are contrapuntal

[@b-louprint]

man I was hoping he'd do the melody and the piccolo part and thought maybe not it'll just be a reduction. never was so wrong, that was insane

[@OneJazzyBoi]

More than three voices... Bass, accompaniment, counterpoint melody (trombone), main melody, piccolo descant. The piano/keyboard is the superior instrument. I'm totally not biased.

[@tchaikovsky30]

two girls, one...

[@jonedwards88]

The Dude at 2:40 wishing he learnt the piano instead!!

[@niccolopaganini4268]

@Darth Blader/Jonas Fababeir How do you not know it's a joke?

[@renaudgg]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@adamjacksonmedia]

Jon Edwards How do you know it’s a joke?

[@autumngirl951]

😁😄😆

[@BingDwenDwen]

however he was probably thinking, you screw that piano piece up dude

[@jayteehazard]

The Flex of that piccolo part.. He really hurt the orchestras feelings with that.

[@maxpowr90]

2:16 her seat is wet.

[@joshuaburrell3387]

True

[@chrisnzella]

He did great. Betting the orchestra members were all tapping their toes. I sure was.

[@heatherwood2664]

*I have a friend who is a flautist, and absolutely hates this piece, for having to do the piccolo part 😅

[@bctesla]

Dude is playing an entire symphony by himself .

[@peter-el7ym]

I was searching for "video of horowitz playing stars and stripes forever" and couldn't find a copy. I have been dying to see what his fingers were doing in an arrangement that clearly needs three hands to play. Thanks be to God this guy figured it out. My understanding was that another pianist had done so during Horowitz's life and he never forgave him.

[@e.goldie6143]

This pianist is amazing! I've heard many renditions of Horowitz's Stars and Stripes Forever, but I believe this Russian pianist is the best I've heard. His musicianship, artistry, and interpretation of Horowitz's work is unmatched.

[@xswooshx]

Most impressive part of the video? Adjusting those glasses at 3:05. For real, though. I wonder if the orchestra knew about the performance prior to that day. I'm sure they knew, but maybe he didn't practice with them during rehearsals? Some of those reactions are as though it's the first time seeing him play.

[@kaizun]

By the way the audience is clapping at the beginning, it may have been an encore. So the orchestra most likely never heard him play it during rehearsal.

[@benoitpellet1657]

Yes, I think that just at the beginning, you can see that the pianist is actually returning to the stage for an encore call, so it might have been just as much of a surprise and a treat for the orchestra as for the audience. You can see that some of them, no doubt masters of their own instruments, are absolutely mesmerized at the performance.

[@RedPop4]

@@benoitpellet1657 I don't know, like most musicians, some of them look pretty snarky. :(

[@benunderwood5559]

Same with 1:07

[@dalezalewski7759]

Some of the younger women in the orchestra looked like they were in a swoon.

[@Skyhawk8282]

Just... amazing... best piano transcription of this march ever... end of discussion!!!

[@caseyrivera8947]

I disagree, I think volodos did a better job. Have you heard it?

[@kpeterson2011]

Casey Rivera I believe he/she is referring to Horowitz's transcription of the piece that both of these great pianists are replicating.

[@Skyhawk8282]

Casey Rivera Volodos' is quite impressive indeed! Nevertheless, I consider that this guy's interpretation is musically richer in terms of expression and tempo! Thanks for your opinion Casey!

[@Skyhawk8282]

Kyle Peterson I am actally a he hahaha! On one side, you are right: in my humble opinion, Horowitz's transcription is the best I have heard so far. On the other side, I think this guy's interpretation is more expressive and full of color compared to Volodo's which plays it too fast from beginning to end. Thanks for commenting!

[@adamgoldberg7330]

except this guy missed so many more notes despite playing it slower?

[@hardmuscl4life]

Beautifully played. The expressions on that faces of the other musicians is priceless...Valery's playing is beyond belief. Bravo...

[@byronking9573]

Starts out fabulous... And ends up brilliant! This. Is. How. It's. Done!

[@kluntox1079]

i've never seen so many holy shit faces in one video

[@batboy5023]

lol

[@thatprussian9147]

Sometimes it takes 30+ people to make a musical piece sound good and sometimes it only takes 1.

[@drjmansplace5174]

I've heard a lot of piano players. This guy is one of the greatest I've ever heard.

[@wallabbywatters6681]

DrJman's Place You sounded like Walter Sobchak, at least at the beggining of your sentence.

[@stacia6678]

Valery Kuleshov

[@MrLULE]

@@stacia6678 u have discord?

[@ФилиппОстапенко-м4й]

Рядовой профи.... Иначе-как иначе ...

[@walshrd]

You apparently havent heard many great pianists play this. Check out Lavandera's performance if you want a truly great rendition.

[@r.nickopeters2094]

Another classic performance it took me way too long to find.

[@gordonm7038]

R. Nickopeters I had known of Guy van Duser's guitar arrangement which is amazing and you must hear it but this is great. And by a Russian! ROCK ON!

[@xswooshx]

This needs a standing ovation. Good lord!

[@SonshineLady7]

Watching this again as I do every July 4 and am, once again, amazed. BRAVO!!!!

[@stacia6678]

Are you still doing it? :D

[@SonshineLady7]

@@stacia6678 I actually forgot to do so this year...arrrgggghhh! Thank you for the reminder. :)

[@johnchessant3012]

lol the reaction shots of the orchestra probably thinking "this one guy is an entire orchestra by himself"

[@michaeldailey3219]

It takes a Russian to truly play 'Stars and Stripes Forever' ;)

[@CalamityInAction]

Strangely enough

[@jakeski6488]

😂

[@allstarmark12345]

Very true!!!

[@davidhooper9466]

Considering the fact that Horowitz was a Russian before he became a citizen of the U.S., I'd have to agree.

[@johns.8220]

Never heard the US Marine Band before, I take it

[@locojuega1939]

2:03 In this part appear the most iconic part of music in the history of the Argentina TV because this part of the song was used by Cronica Tv for show the news in the program

[@estesco1]

I think that is IMPOSSIBLE to play like that, I am more impressed each time I see this video . Good to be alive.

[@raymondshutt1289]

Absolutely brilliant! Bravo, Sir!

[@javierperalta7648]

That must be the best piano performance I've ever seen

[@davidhooper9466]

If you youtube the original version by Horowitz you'll hear the best version, in my humble opinion...this guy, while very good is no match for Horowitz. The 'voices' in the second half are incredible. Also, Horowitz is smoother overall. Enjoy!

[@jponz85]

​@@davidhooper9466 go watch Arcadi Volodos. Kills Horowitz in this piece...

[@NJTDover]

True. What can one expect from illiterate people embracing an evil and perverted ideology?

[@alvarezkentalfe521]

The orchestra was so amazed that it looks like they didn't even know he'll perform!

[@norikofu509]

Imagine being THIS talented

[@bctesla]

I agree that piccolo is incredible right hand method

[@bonnijordan2627]

Wow!!! What a brilliant pianist! What a majestic performance!!! Performed better than any I have heard play this masterpiece before! It makes it even more sweeter being a Russian pianist!!! I love it!!!

[@suttonelms1]

Incredible performance. Wonderful.

[@robrophside3691]

1:25 Milton Friedman is impressed.

[@allstarmark12345]

Das capital

[@dricka49221]

WOW! I have never seen this played with anything less than 4 hands and many times with 8 hands on two pianos. Amazing, simply amazing. My mind could never think fast enough to move my hands that fast to play those notes, LOL!

[@MusicNerdMIDI]

I just love how he started playing immediately after sitting down and the reactions at 0:10

[@SonshineLady7]

I've thought that as well...no messing around, just gets right into it!!

[@matthewsouthwell]

Best recording of this on youtube. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

[@Elizabeth1952]

@pianoenthusiast11 - Rach III....I was there.... and lucky to get a seat as there was standing room only in this great concert hall... Concert was a huge success .as Kuleshov is extremely popular in St. Petersburg....

[@gordonm7038]

Beautiful! Great inflections. Greetings from Scotland Rock on my friends...

[@hirohiro5979]

とても馴染みのある曲のはずだけど、こんな素敵な演奏を聴けるなんて🥰 幸せです、ありがとうございます❤️

[@K43TOC]

Finally!!! Someone plays this the way its supposed to be played.

[@destroystheovik]

Haha, love the guy at 2:39. That's the face of a man who just realized that he is now obsolete :)

[@Jportermwcc]

diminished O_o... Lol I'm sure that's not what he's thinking.

[@ephraim_1987]

wonderful... y se da tiempo para acomodarse los lentes!!

[@kurutze]

To all who wonder, this concerto took place in Sr. Petersburg on 16'Jun'2000. Kuleshov played this encore after playing Rachmaninov's Concerto no. 3 Op. 30. There is a video of the full performance in Kuleshov's KZbin channel.

[@jponz85]

Link please?

[@kurutze]

@@jponz85 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZjWeWaMZ5J1nMU

[@fifty9forty3]

Absolutely FANTASTIC!

[@みちねこ-o2l]

鳥肌が止まらない、、 恐ろしいくらいの演奏。

[@emanuelhathaway1895]

4:01 even the Asian is highly impressed

[@orssidia]

Lol!

[@shannonwu5770]

yes

[@Balakirev_]

Emanuel Hathaway hahahahahaha!!!

[@edwarddieffenbach3270]

The Asians are usually the best at piano! hahahaha

[@alexhaowenwong6122]

Jews are even better. Horowitz, Kissin, Rubinstein, Argerich, Barenboim, Grimaud, Bernstein, Bronfman, Perahia--and most of them are Russian Jewish.

[@gordonm7038]

Valery Kuleshov on piano. Great player.

[@DeedsResearcher]

OUTSTANDING!!!! BRAVO!!!

[@Bred0nSch00lV2]

It's a great song everywhere. One of my favourites in fact and I am from the UK.

[@giuseppebonaiuto7596]

Indudablemente que demostró ser un gran pianista ya que organizó toda la composición en un solo instrumento con sus dos manos a tres y hasta cuatro voces con una magistral seguridad como todo un gran pianista. No sé si alguien notó que al inicio me pareció algo Chopianesco que le quitaba un poco el aire de Marcha, si tiene sus partes chopaniescas pero no obstante estuvo espléndido, magistral, irrepetible, irrefutable. Le plus 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ticklemepurple86]

man I can watch this all day long and still be impressed each and every time

[@aarondelacruz7484]

Sousa would be so proud

[@dmitrykrivonosov73]

Valery Kuleshov is a really great Russian pianist

[@gordonm7038]

Dmitry Krivonosov Absolutely! He plays with passion, force and humour. Great player. Используйте свои пальцы как гром Ispol'zuyte svoi pal'tsy kak grom!

[@carlosrobbins9178]

Thank you for the attribution. I see that Valery Kuleshov is an "Artist in Residence" at the University of Central Oklahoma. He's bound to make his way to Carnegie Hall sometime.

[@Zeekiel]

Thank you for telling the name.

[@lynnpeppa1]

I must’ve watched it 50 times! Amazing! Bravo!

[@francisj.connolly7788]

This is SO AMAZING! first time i've heard it on piano. thats the next song on my list

[@davidhooper9466]

I was in my forties before I knew Sousa wrote lyrics for this...best version with lyrics is done by Acoustix.

[@firstsmoofy]

A marvelous performance!!

[@ponypint6635]

This was my memories of Memorial Fay, 4th of July and ALL patriotic American Holidays.

[@micheljch]

there was a snort snippet of him playing part of the intro when Mike Wallace interviewed him for 60 Minutes in the late 1970s, I think. He demurred, but Wallace got him to play a few bars. There are of course recordings of Horowitz performing it but no full videos that I know of. But I could be wrong . . .

[@akg_table]

love her expression at 1:18. She's just one of dozens of violinists there, completely unneeded, but without the pianist there's no show.

[@Cardstacker]

Wonder what she was thinking

[@MatematicaTel]

Sometimes, it appears that him have four hands!!

[@jtwilliams8895]

Wild. I’ve never seen anyone bang out a song on the piano quite like that, with such force and precision

[@walshrd]

Well, look around. Check out the Liszt piano transcription of the finale of Rossini's William Tell.

[@gisterme2981]

Bravo for both performance and transcription!

[@sprunzloffio]

3:05 he has some time left over with the left hand to adjust his glasses.

[@marieangebuffin3725]

C'est magnifique, il joue merveilleusement bien, bravo.

[@stacia6678]

Magnifique!!

[@bctesla]

Perfect technique on left hand octaves . Amazing

[@alpacaaviator]

I try to use this as background music, but I every time I end up watching in awe.

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

Incredible and faster than Horovitz played it himself! Really, really clean and so crisp, am full of admiration for you sir! Bravo!! Great to see the expressions on the orchestral players faces as the maestro plays! As you say, it takes a Russian artist to play the “Stars and Strips” properly!!! Marvellous indeed!! Adrian in Bermuda ❤️❤️

[@gordonm7038]

Great arrangement! Greetings from Scotland!

[@irinashishkina6963]

Браво , Валерочка!!!!! С приветом из Мексики !!!!❤️

[@lisacuringa1505]

What a remarkable performance.

[@Dontaking2008]

Now that’s rock n’ roll.

[@truthisatmycore.7429]

Simply amazing!

[@edmondscott7444]

Great performance.

[@ticklemepurple86]

I read in his biography that for a short period he studied under Horowitz himself!

[@ewallt]

I like this performance. The artist played at a slower tempo than one often hears (not that this is too slow), and in return he gained crispness. In the "piccolo" sections you can hear every note, clear as crystal. Also in favor of the slower tempo is the fact that this is a march.

[@jimcollins2466]

Outstanding! God Bless America!

[@ticklemepurple86]

Readjusts his glasses...like a boss !

[@brentaudi9354]

Awesome! Thanks for the upload!

[@ndpitch]

I love the guy on the left @ 2:27. His face seems to say "and how the hell is he going to pull off the piccolo solo?!"

[@fu72755]

2:30 ピッコロ……😮😮😮😮

[@sharonshoop495]

Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sandrarandolph4248]

This is so good that I can't believe it is happening in this world!

[@johnhodges8264]

See Chet Atkins version on guitar!

[@robertozac1885]

Semplicemente impressionante. Se non ci fosse il video, crederei che ci siano altri strumenti: perlomeno, i clarinetti.

[@alexm8468]

This is the best performance ever of The Stars and Stripes on piano. Better than Horowitz himself!

[@andrewfitzgerald-piano9468]

Alex M very true

[@ハンバーガーハンバーガー-g9b]

It is the greatest of all piano song!

[@AfroCubanConcertPianoLuisLugo]

Que moderno .........La era de los pianistas sin nombre

[@1389Chopin]

He worked Horowitz personally to capture all of his transcriptions note for note. He recorded a cd of them all, and yes it is as good as you think after hearing this

[@ozrocco]

Fantastic!

[@flagwaver7650]

Beautiful!

[@louswire]

..."I'll show them"...

[@louswire]

I'm worn out from this... fantastic!

[@bctesla]

It is so hard for me to figure out , this later 70’s 4:01 young

[@gordonm7038]

Great left hand.

[@gordonm7038]

And right!

[@loupdubois5147]

BRAVOOO MAGNIFIIIQUE !!!

[@eldelatecnica]

Are you not entertained?!

[@suttonelms1]

Electrified! Amazing.